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This week’s challenge was submitted by @/mjerniganart on IG who, side-note, is a talented natural history artist and a worthy follow. So who is this curious corvid? #CrowOrNo? Excited for your answers! 
Oh boy folks, you ready for this week’s answer? Today’s photo challenge is 🥁🥁🥁 a crow! As the photo was taken in Florida, I can’t tell you which species. IDing the difference between the two species there (American crow and fish crow) is not a skill I have for a pic like this
Generally fish crow (Corvus ossifragus) are smaller than American crows. Though they really have to be side by side for most people, even experts to notice the difference. The biggest help is the voice, with fish crows producing nasally calls.
But since A LOT of people went with raven on this, let’s dedicate more time to how you could have deciphered between the two. First off as a reminder: “crows” and “ravens” comprise many individual species some more closely related than others.
One thing they have in common though is the presence of nasal feathers. These are indicative of all the Corvus (referring to the Corvus genus to which they belong).
Though the nasal feathers in a raven are more pronounced, this is clue suited for mid-level ID ability, as it’s pretty subtle.
The best tell here was instead the texture of the throat feathers which, with a little practice, are easy to see even for beginners.
Ravens have heavily textured throat feathers called hackels, which often articulate when they are calling as you can see in these photos.
Crows on the other hand have soft, hair like feathers which may puff out a bit as in this photo, but are noticeably less pronounced.
Tail and wings are helpful in flight, but not when perched. Not for most people anyway.
So there you have it! I hope you enjoyed today’s game and will join again next week! And remember to send me photos you’d like to see used in a future game.
